Podiums

How Music Aﬀects Our Mood

Most people enjoy listening to music while they’re engaged in everyday activities such as working, playing, eating, studying, socializing, or unwinding. The right music can make whatever we’re experiencing much more enjoyable, even if it’s something we’d really rather not be doing. Music has the ability to alter our mood and lift our spirits in a way that almost nothing else (that’s legal) can.

How does music aﬀect our brains and ultimately our moods? Researchers have studied the subject extensively. Music is a natural antidepressant that triggers the release of the feel-good hormones in our body. When we hear pleasant music, our bodies respond by producing the hormone serotonin and the neurotransmitter dopamine. The brain also releases norepinephrine, which is responsible for feelings of euphoria.

Even our hearts are aﬀected by the rhythm of the music we hear. When we listen to calm or melancholy music, our heart rate slows down, signaling our brains that it’s time to relax or process a sad event. And when we listen to lively, upbeat music, our brains perk up and become more alert, leaving us feeling happy, motivated, and energized.

Music has been found to have such a profound impact on our mood that it is considered therapeutic. If we are angry or stressed, blasting furious rock tunes can help us “let it all out” in a non-harmful way in the privacy of our own home. Likewise, when we are disappointed or grieving, listening to slow, melancholy songs can be comforting. We can relate to the song’s emotions and lyrics and somehow feel less alone. When we’re happy, playing uplifting tunes will help us hang on to that feeling for as long as we can.

Whichever mood you’d like to set for your next event, the experts at Bialek music are there to help you create the perfect musical experience. Be sure to visit their website at www.bialeksmusic.com or give them a call at (410) 340-6206.